The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 9

is meet, May bring the dearest thing of all-- A loving heart and service
sweet.
(All join in singing "Joy to the World.")
Curtain falls.
THE WHITE CHRISTMAS.
WHAT IT MEANS.
How to make a pleasant, helpful Christmas for the Sunday School is an
annual problem. A tree with gifts, Santa Claus coming down the
chimney, a treat of candy and nuts--these and many other schemes have

been tried with a greater or less degree of success. But the criticism is
often made that the true significance of the celebration of the birth of
Christ is lost in the mere idea of bartering Christmas presents. "She
didn't give me anything last year, so I'm not going to give her anything
this year."
One wise superintendent determined to teach his Sunday School pupils
the precious lesson of the beauty of giving. He called his teachers
together a few weeks before Christmas and proposed to eliminate
entirely the idea of "getting something," and in its stead to try to teach
something of the true spirit of Christmas, the blessedness of giving.
The children were told that while at home they would receive all the
usual presents, of course they would not get anything whatever from
the Sunday School. The story of Jesus and how He gave His life, and
how He liked best the gifts that cost us something, love, thought,
foresight, charity, money--was told to the children and they were asked
to save their pennies, instead of spending them for candy and nuts, to
brighten the Christmas Day for God's poor and unfortunate.
It was put to a vote and every little hand was raised, although it may be
confessed that a few went up a little reluctantly.
Teachers and young ladies met a few evenings later and made little
stockings out of cheap cambric, with a cord put into the top of each in
such a manner that it could be drawn together so the pennies would not
be lost out. The stockings were about five inches long, and of various
bright colors, and there were enough for every child. These were given
out two weeks before Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, near the close of the regular program, a large tree
was disclosed, but without a single present on it. The Minister made a
short talk on the joys of giving to the poor and the children marched up,
singing a Christmas carol, and attached their little stocking-bags to the
tree.
Six little boys and girls passed among the congregation with larger
stockings, collecting donations for the tree. These stockings had their

tops neatly sewed around little circles of wire to keep them open.
The program consisted of Christmas hymns and carols, interspersed
with recitations--all breathing the spirit of the White Christmas.
REMARKS ON THE PRODUCTION.
SCENERY.
Hang the rear and the sides of the stage with dark blue curtains,
spangled with small silver bits of tinfoil, to represent very tiny stars. If
the blue curtains are not available, use white sheets.
Cover the floor with white sheets. Have two or three small evergreen
trees at rear, covered with white calcimine and diamond powder. Soak
long rags, shaped like icicles, in a strong solution of alum, and then let
them crystallize, then attach them to the trees.
[Illustration]
Down right, near the audience, is a doorway, supposed to be the
entrance to the inn. This may be simply an opening between two
wooden columns, with a step or two leading in. A lantern hangs over
the door. A small bench stands by the inn.
Down left, near the audience, is the manger, a building extending out
from left about seven feet. It has a back and one side of scenery or dark
draperies and a thatched roof, covered with twigs or evergreen branches.
There may be a door leading into the manger from the stage, but this is
not necessary, as the characters can go out behind the manger. A front
curtain, of dark goods, conceals the interior of the manger from the
audience until it is withdrawn by Joseph.
The interior of the manger is covered with hay. Rude boxes and farm
implements all around. A large upturned chair with wooden legs may
simulate the crib, if it is concealed by enough straw. An electric light
bulb is concealed in this straw and shines on the face of Mary, bending
over the crib.

If desired, the manger scene may be presented in the choir loft, the
manger hidden by curtains until revealed by Joseph. In this case have
the evergreen trees at the left of the stage and arrange the manger scene
at the rear and elevated above the other scene. This will prove most
feasible in churches where the choir loft is immediately behind and
above the platform.
LIGHTS.
Dim all